About this course
Feedback is an important part of professional development, yet for sign language interpreters and translators, giving and receiving it can sometimes feel uncomfortable or difficult.
Our work is often personal, and professional relationships can be complicated by expectations, power dynamics and the unwritten rules surrounding how we respond to colleagues' work. We may notice something that could have been approached differently but hesitate to raise it, particularly when feedback hasn't been requested.
However, avoiding these conversations isn't always helpful. When concerns about interpreting decisions or professional practice go unaddressed, the consequences can extend beyond the individuals involved to the people relying on our work.
So how do we give feedback without making it personal? How do we approach a colleague when something hasn't worked well, particularly when we were part of the assignment ourselves? And how can we learn to receive feedback without immediately feeling criticised or becoming defensive?
This interactive webinar with Brett Best explores the challenges surrounding professional feedback and considers how we can approach these conversations more openly and constructively.
Drawing on interpreting-specific research, alongside wider research into feedback, psychological safety and behaviour change, the session will introduce practical tools and approaches for giving, receiving and requesting feedback.
Through realistic scenarios, breakout discussions and reflection, participants will explore ways to make feedback a more useful part of everyday professional practice.
Whether you're newly qualified or an experienced practitioner, giving and receiving feedback can raise difficult questions.
We may worry about damaging professional relationships, feel uncomfortable questioning a colleague's decisions or struggle to separate comments about our work from how we see ourselves as professionals.
This webinar offers an opportunity to examine these challenges in a supportive professional setting, explore realistic interpreting scenarios and consider approaches that make feedback more constructive for everyone involved.
Participants will leave with practical ideas for approaching feedback conversations with greater clarity, responding to feedback more openly and supporting a professional culture where discussing our work is seen as a normal and valuable part of practice.
Learning outcomes
- Understanding the role of feedback in interpreting and translation practice.
- Exploring the professional expectations and unwritten rules that can discourage open conversations.
- Recognising how power dynamics and professional relationships influence feedback.
- Giving constructive feedback that focuses on the work rather than the individual.
- Approaching difficult conversations, including when feedback hasn't been requested.
- Understanding defensive reactions and considering how to respond to them.
- Learning how to ask for feedback that is specific, relevant and genuinely useful.
- Developing practical approaches to making feedback part of ongoing reflective practice and professional development.
Live, interactive and supported
This is an active learning session with explanation, structured discussion and practical work. A useful course handbook or supporting materials are provided, together with a CPD certificate for each attendee.
Participation and cameras
Participation is encouraged. Cameras help people connect with those they are learning and working with, while recognising that there may be circumstances where having a camera on is not practical or appropriate.
Not recorded
This course is delivered live and is not recorded. Please book only if you can attend at the advertised time.
About the trainer
Brett Best
Brett Best is a fully qualified American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL) and English interpreter, trainer, researcher and published author. She holds a BA in Deaf Studies from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and an MSc from the European Masters in Sign Language Interpreting (EUMASLI) programme. Brett has worked internationally within the interpreting profession and has delivered training and presentations on a range of areas including professional practice, interpreting standards, voicing strategies, technology and e-professionalism. Her research interests include the professionalisation of sign language interpreting and the impact of technology on interpreting practice. Alongside her interpreting work, Brett brings her experience as a trainer and researcher to discussions around professional confidence, development and the realities of working as a sign language interpreter.